Forms, fees and payments

History and Experience

The YDSA Certifying Authority has been authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) since 1993. We have over 1,500 actively coded vessels, making us one of the largest MCA small craft Certifying Authority. The YDSA has delegated authority from the MCA to act on their behalf.

Not all members of the YDSA can act as Coding Surveyors. To survey a vessel for commercial compliance the surveyor concerned must have suitable experience and knowledge within the sector they wish to work. All Surveyors that wish to act through the YDSA as a Coding Surveyor must apply to the YDSA Certifying Authority. Their application is then assessed and if their application is passed, they will be included within a matrix of competencies reflecting the areas in which they can act and they are listed in the Find a Coding Surveyor directory.

Choice of Surveyor

With the YDSA Certifying Authority, you have a choice of Coding Surveyors. Our Coding Surveyors are selected from our membership of experienced Marine Surveyors, meaning they have proven experience in the industry. They are independent and you are free to nominate any YDSA Coding Surveyor from around the UK and overseas. You can change to another Coding Surveyor if your Nominated Coding Surveyor is unavailable.

Coding Surveyors are divided into two levels, according to their qualifications and experience:

  • Level 1: Coding vessels in all categories; carrying 16 or more persons; lifting/towing; carrying more than 1 tonne of cargo; and Pilot Boats.
  • Level 2: Coding vessels up to Category 2 not requiring a Stability Information Booklet.

All YDSA members hold Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance to cover both them you should the need arise.

Duty Surveyors

All paperwork is checked by senior CA surveyors who attend the office on a rota basis. They are highly experienced surveyors who know the Codes of Practice well and ensure your Nominated Coding Surveyor has undertaken a full inspection, checked the documentation and type of vessel against the relevant Code of Practice.

Keeping in Contact

We work closely with your Nominated Coding Surveyor to make the process as smooth as possible. If there are any queries regarding the Compliance Examination or any other paperwork, your Nominated Coding Surveyor is usually the first port of call.

We will contact you or your managing agent before your annual renewal is due, so you have time to arrange an inspection. If your Nominated Coding Surveyor is due to inspect your vessel, they will also be notified. This will include an Annual Declaration for you (or you and your Nominated Coding Surveyor) to sign and details of the Annual Renewal Fee.

Transferring Certifying Authority

If you are already registered with another Certifying Authority, you can easily transfer to the YDSA. If the person who manages the vessel and ownership remains the same there will be no extra cost. Your Nominated Coding Surveyor will need to perform an inspection to verify the current state of your boat, for which they may charge a fee.

Application fee for the issue of a compliance certificate (1st year)
(Fees in this table are outside the scope of VAT) (If upon review of your application it's deemed to be in a higher price band than you have paid (e.g. you didn't think you required category 1 but it comes to light you do), we reserve the right to issue an add-on invoice for the difference)
Price (£ GBP)
Vessels under 15m LOA and not in the below criteria
155.00
Vessels between 15m and 19m in length
285.00
Vessels under 19m in length operating in Categories 0 and 1
285.00
Vessels under 19m in length carrying 16 or more persons, over 1000 Kg cargo, or engaged in lifting, towing or Pilot Boat operations
285.00
All vessels 19m in length and over
400.00
Light Duty Workboat Fee
75.00
Annual Renewal fee for the issue of a compliance certificate (years 2 to 5)
(Fees in this table are outside the scope of VAT)
Price (£ GBP)
Annual renewal fee for vessels <15m not requiring annual examination by the Certifying Authority
100.00
Annual renewal fee for vessels between 15m and 19m in length not requiring annual examination by the Certifying Authority
185.00
Vessels under 19m in length requiring an annual examination by the Certifying Authority
185.00
All vessels 19m in length and over
205.00
MLC Compliance Fees
(Fees in this table are outside the scope of VAT)
Price (£ GBP)
MLC (Maritime Labour Convention 2006) Compliance
110.00
Vessel Stability Fees
(VAT should be added to fees in this table unless otherwise stated) (If stability documentation is not presented in an approved format, further fees may be charged for additional work)
Price (£ GBP)
Issue of Stability Category (vessels not requiring stability books) (this fee outside the scope of VAT)
85.00
Intact Stability (checking of stability books)
from 550.00
Damaged Stability (checking of stability books)
from 550.00
Sailing Multihulls (checking of stability books)
from 495.00
Stability Book Addendums (to previously approved books)
220.00
Additional Fees
(VAT should be added to fees in this table)
Price (£ GBP)
YDSA Administration fee (e.g. issue of duplicate certificates, 3 month extension)
from 65.00
Retrieval of files from archive (typically vessels that have not been coded for 2+ years)
from 30.00

Compliance Examination - Surveyor's Fees

The fees for the Compliance Examination are negotiated with and paid directly to the Nominated Coding Surveyor. The quoted fee will be on the basis that the vessel is presented for examination already compliant with the Code requirements. An additional charge may be made for a return visit or providing assistance with stability information.

Pay a New Application for 5 Year Examinations
For vessels new to us use this link for payments (remember to send us your completed SCV1)

Pay Annual Renewals
For vessels due for their annual renewal (you may need your invoice/request for payment)

Pay for a 5 Year Cycle Renewal
For vessels due their 5 year renewal use this link for payments (remember to send us your completed SCV1)

Pay Administration Fees
For various administration fees including retrieval and extension fees

Here to help

Click the link of the service you require.

Find a Coding Surveyor
Find a Designer

Email us

Please send all emails regarding Coding to ca@ydsa.co.uk.

Contact Form

Call us

Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

+44 (0)1730 710490

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